Second test victory still tantalising possibility for N.Z.

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 46

Second test victory still tantalising possibility for N.Z.

From

JOHN COFFEY,

in Auckland

Victory over Australia in the second cricket test at Eden Park is still a tantalising possibility for New Zealand.

At stumps last evening the Australians were 64 runs and six second innings wickets in credit, but their last two specialist batsmen were at the crease and the second new ball had hardly been tarnished.

An attractive century by Graeme Wood had, to all intents and purposes, seen Australia to safety by yesterday afternoon. The deficit of 177 runs had been wiped out soon after tea and the tourists had suffered only two setbacks.

The options open to the New Zealand captain, Geoff Howarth, had seemingly all been used up. He had tried seven bowlers, and the pitch was still offering a minimum of encouragement. But Australia’s composure was upset by a most unlikely bowling combination. Lance Cairns used all of his skills and stamina to wring some life out of the old ball, and John Morrison proved an ideal foil with his left-arm spinners.

Between them Cairns and Morrison delivered 66 overs, with only the occasional brief break. If Morrison is still to gain his first test wicket, he earned considerable credit for the manner in

Unlikely bowling combination

which he shackled the Australian batsmen and allowed Cairns to give full rein to his talents. Both Cairns and Morrison were bowling for a time before lunch. They were not finally rested — save for an over or two, and a change of ends — until the second new ball was given to Richard Hadlee and Martin Snedden just before poor light caused play to cease 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled time. Cairns is renowned for his resilience, and his refusal to concede the initiative. His last 23 overs were consecu-

tive, he conceded just 47 runs, and was richly rewarded for his toils by the scalps of Wood, John Dyson and Kim Hughes.

Morrison’s contribution was all the more remarkable. In 15 previous tests he had been rationed only three overs — in the whole of the present first-class season he has bowled 12 balls — and only last week-end, as captain of the President’s XI, he had looked on as four other spinners were used. No wonder Morrison was flexing his left shoulder and arm towards the later stages of his marathon perform-

ance. He was even more economical than his partner and was treated with the utmost suspicion by his rivals until Greg Chappell majestically drove twice to the cover boundary.

The sameness about the New Zealand bowling in the morning once Hadlee moved up to his short run-up. and Morrison’s effectiveness afterwards, brought into question the decision to enter the test without a specialist spinner. It is to the new ball bowlers that New Zealand must now look this morning if Australia is to be beaten. Chappell and Allan Border have the experience and technique to soothe Australia’s qualms, and if they are still together after the first hour a draw will be inevitable.

Chappell has already indicated that he is in form, confident on the front foot and ominously sound when choosing to defend. Border, too, played a couple of flowing drives just before the finish, but a mistake by either would have New Zealand through to the struggling Rod Marsh and those whose principal profession is bowling.